You’ve been meaning to try something new in your life, so why not try Filipino martial arts? Practicing martial arts will train you to triumph over dangerous situations you might find yourself in.

Self-defense is important. “Filipino Martial Arts make very realistic situations, such as if someone’s grabbing your purse or someone has a knife out. In that situation, you know what to do because of the training you’ve done previously,” Fil-Am Denise Bion said to ABS-CBN.

FMA incorporates elements from both Western and Eastern martial arts. Take a look at some of the Filipino martial arts you can learn:

Arnis

www.feu.edu.ph

Arnis is both a bit of the balintawak, eskrima stick-dueling and bolo fighting. Founder Remy Presas has brought this art of self-defense to its highest form. It was officially dubbed the national sport and martial art of the Philippines back in December 11, 2009 by President Gloria Arroyo.

It is characterized by “swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense.”

2. Tapado

www.mastertapadoarnis.com

Tapado comes from a Hiligaynon (a Filipino dialect) word “Tapat” or “Tapos” which means “finished” or “done” in English or to finish the job in one strike with the use of a stick 43 to 47 inches long. This art was founded in 1960 by the late Grandmaster Romeo ‘Nono’ Mamar of Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

3. Yaw Yan

yaw-yan.net

Yaw Yan is short for “Sayaw Kamatayan” created by grandmaster Napoleon A. Fernandez, an undefeated All-Asian and Far-East Kickboxing champion. Yaw Yan is the Filipino-style kickboxing which kicks close to its Thailand counterpart Muay Thai; however, it differs in the downward-cutting of its kicks as well as the hip torqueing motion.

Practitioners of this martial art have to learn approximately 40 basic kicks along with rigorous training on dexterity, flexibility as well as mastery.

Some practitioners even train with this traditional Philippine weapon – the “balisong” or bolo, being an extension of the hands.

4. Panantukan

www.panantukan-concept.at

Panantukan is otherwise known as suntukan, the boxing component of FMA. It relies on a close-combat fighting system that doesn’t really have a fixed set of rules.

5. Sikaran

www.sikaranarnis.com

Sikaran focuses mostly on kicking, while arms are used for blocking your opponent. It translates “to exchange kicks.”

Nid Anima, author of the “Filipino Martial Arts” book, stated:

“A sikaran session commences with the drawing of a circle on the ground. The acknowledge talent of the kit by reason of his superior skill is often obliged to concede a handicap, thus he positions himself inside the circle and trade kicking talents with one who stays at the circle’s rim. The objective is for the combatant outside to dislodge the contestant within.”

6. Dumog

assets3.tribesports.com

Dumog is the Filipino-style stand-up wrestling. It refers to the grappling aspect of FMA.

Actor and martial artist Ian Ignacio shows off a lot of his Dumog skills in the upcoming film “The Trigonal: Fight for Justice.”

facebook.com/IgnacioIanT

If that totally got your attention, you’re going to see a lot more of him and the traditional Filipino martial arts in The Trigonal: Fight for Justice coming out this summer!

The countdown has begun! This summer, be prepared for something totally new! #TheTrigonal #WhatIsTheTrigonal…a film by Vincent Soberanoedited by Rex Villamormusic score by Johan Macaraeg and Danica Tolentino